Monday, July 29, 2013

Canada is a country built on the hopes and dreams of those born elsewhere. Before it was called “immigration” people came to this vast, unfamiliar territory to start something new for themselves and their families. They wanted to see what this place - even before it was a nation - had to offer. Because of it’s beginnings, Canadian identity is wrapped up in the idea of conquering the unknown. In a contemporary context, this means that every day Canada becomes a new home for people from all over the world. Canada offers them a new start, new opportunities, and new chances to learn and grow. They bring their knowledge and traditions and contribute them to make Canada the incredibly diverse nation it is. This growth is beneficial to our economy when it translates into more tax-paying Canadians. As Canadians we enjoy universal healthcare, social services that ensure no Canadian has to do without, and education that is brought closer to reach for all Canadians due to subsidization. When Canadians, recent or not, contribute though their taxes to support our economy we are able to grow and improve. A study by Fraser Institute shows that immigrant Canadians may not contribute as much, on average, than their native-born compatriots. The unemployment rate for newly-landed Canadians has also increased over time. This indicates that we may still have a way to go when it comes to ensuring that immigrants to Canada are maximizing their skills and opportunities upon arrival. Our current government supports continual immigration and there are certainly benefits to an aggressive immigration policy. Though we are a developed nation, we still have vast untapped natural resources such as lumber, oil, fresh water, and agriculture. Canadian cities, however, are far-between and located close to the U.S. border. The need for labour to access our natural resources is great and the opportunity to find gainful employment is alluring to newcomers to the country. Another reason behind the support for immigration centres around Canada’s low birth rate and aging population.

There seem to be varying points of view on the issue of immigration in Canada. On one hand, it is important to breathe new life into our country. Since we are very sparsely populated, we have an enormous amount of potential. Our urban centres, such as Toronto, are highly diverse. Immigrants can find neighbourhoods where they may be able to speak their native languages and enjoy familiar culture. They may not, however, be contributing as best they can to the Canadian economy. In densely populated cities such as Toronto, jobs and affordable housing can be hard to come by. In places like Alberta and Saskatchewan, on the other hand, space remains vast and the need for labour high. Though I am far from being an expert on immigration, I feel that it is crucial to our development as a nation. We are still very new, relatively speaking. We are still defining what it means to be “Canadian” and I feel that bringing in the best people the world has to offer will help. For me, this means looking for those who are skilled and educated, ready to work, and eager to make Canada their home. It also means a fusion of world cultures with our own Canadian identity so that we remain distinct on the world stage. -ToriThis post was inspired by the Immigration Lawyer Network

Divorce is something that is highly personal for me, and something that I have a very candid attitude toward. My parents divorced when I was three, and growing up with parents who had very separate lives was the norm for me. I am lucky to have been young enough that the emotional impact was lessened. I had two parents who were mature enough to respect one another even after they decided to longer live as a partnership. I never felt alone, and I always knew that both my parents had my best interests at heart.

A couple years ago I witnessed as an adult how difficult divorce can be for families when my dad separated a second time, this time from my stepmother. They have two kids together and the emotional toll the separation took on my younger siblings was high.

After my dad and stepmother’s divorce I was proud that my siblings were given a choice of which parent they wanted to spend their time with. I was not given this choice and I wonder how my life would be different if I had grown up spending more than just two weekends per month with my father. My brother and sister chose to stay with my dad, which made me fiercely proud. It got me wondering, however, why this decision should come as a surprise. Why shouldn’t it be more common for kids to be able to live with their fathers? There are many wonderful dads in the world who do not see their children as much as they would like.

I understand that changing divorce law is beyond my scope, however, if there is to be any revision to the way these proceedings happen, it should be - in my opinion - that fathers are given just as much opportunity to provide a home for their children as mothers. The interests of the children in any divorce case should be kept at the forefront and parents should work together to ensure this happens. To ensure a healthy approach to the process of divorce it may be beneficial to recommend counseling to parents and children to aid in the process. This is something never offered to myself or my siblings, but having a safe environment to discuss fears, doubts, and questions may help to bring clarity into what can be a very confusing and painful experience. When ending a marriage and dividing a household, it can be too easy to get caught up in details. Being able to go through the process with a counsellor may help everyone involved to see the bigger picture.

Finally, as someone who spent nearly my entire life as the product of a “broken home” I would like to move toward a society where divorce does not hold the same social stigma it currently does. There still seems to be a taboo around divorce and this makes the prospect even scarier for children. I have seen from my own life, that parents often thrive as individuals where they may have been stifled in their marriage. In fact, often times divorce can greatly benefit the entire family, allowing parents to grow as individuals and provide one-on-one time with their children. That said, I don’t feel that divorce should be taken lightly. I feel that all relationships take work and commitment. On both sides of my family my grandparents were married for over fifty years. My two sets of grandparents showed me that love can endure and that sometimes people find their perfect match. My parents taught me that sometimes the individual is stronger than the pair, and that divorce should not be feared. Separation is simply a part of life and it can make us stronger. It has made me who I am and I know I have become someone both of my parents - individually - are proud of. I don’t consider my home “broken”, I simply have two.

Growing up I lived in a home where the most defining feature was the huge maple tree in the front yard. My bedroom window looked out at the front yard and not only did the tree provide our home with shade, it hid my window from the road so that I felt as though I was in my own private garden as I looked out the window. As I fell asleep the sound of the breeze through the leaves helped me nod off and in the summer I would sit below it and read book after book.

On a world scale trees are crucial for more than just sentimental reasons. The environmental benefits of having trees is immeasurable. They help to clean the air. They help to intercept airborne particles, and can help to reduce heat. Trees can absorb materials that are detrimental to the environment and help to reduce pollution. Trees also help to regulate carbon dioxide. The world is a living organism itself, while supporting the billions of organisms housed within it. In order to support this life the air needs to be healthy. Although emissions get higher and higher, trees help to maintain our life-sustaining home.

In urban and residential contexts, trees serve purposes beyond purely environmental. Everyone knows the appeal of sitting under a tree for shade and this cooling ability can help lessen the impact of heat and sun on homes. A well-shaded home will stay cooler in the summer, lowering the need for air conditioning.

Living in a large city, I personally feel the effects of noise pollution daily. The sounds associated with living in the city seem to fade away when surrounded by trees, and the calmness is not purely imagined. Trees help to lessen noise pollution as well as atmospheric, so they are incredibly beneficial when living in a densely populated neighbourhood.

There is a certain nostalgic appeal to a tree-lined street. The colours are dazzling in the fall and in the summer, the trees create a canopy over the road turning an everyday stroll into something magical. As Toronto enters a buyer’s market for homes, and as tall glass condos become more ubiquitous, having a well maintained front yard can be the best way to make your home stand out. There are always opportunities to increase property value both inside and outside the home, but your home’s curb appeal is your home’s first impression. It is how you set the stage for who you are as homeowners and for how others may envision themselves as part of the neighbourhood.

In this urban and residential context, tree services and landscaping are crucial because professionals are often needed to help homeowners get the most benefit from their space. As an important part of the ecosystem, trees need particular attention. Specialized tree services can help to identify any potential problems that may arise, such as the health of the tree or soil, and the structural integrity of the tree itself. Furthermore, they can help to care for and maintain trees that have been alive longer than any of us, or provide advice on planting and growing a young tree so that it will continue to grow for decades. When it's time for trees to go, these services ensure that removal is done safely and with as little impact on the surrounding area as possible. A front or back yard can be a blank canvas, and though tree services and landscaping, this canvas can be filled and perfected.

It is crucial for homeowners to understand the potential that trees can bring as part of their homes. With the help and advice of tree service professionals, the health and integrity of trees is ensured.

Canada is a country built on the hopes and dreams of those born elsewhere. Before it was called “immigration” people came to this vast, unfamiliar territory to start something new for themselves and their families. They wanted to see what this place - even before it was a nation - had to offer. Because of it’s beginnings, Canadian identity is wrapped up in the idea of conquering the unknown. In a contemporary context, this means that every day Canada becomes a new home for people from all over the world. Canada offers them a new start, new opportunities, and new chances to learn and grow. They bring their knowledge and traditions and contribute them to make Canada the incredibly diverse nation it is.

This growth is beneficial to our economy when it translates into more tax-paying Canadians. As Canadians we enjoy universal healthcare, social services that ensure no Canadian has to do without, and education that is brought closer to reach for all Canadians due to subsidization. When Canadians, recent or not, contribute though their taxes to support our economy we are able to grow and improve. A study by Fraser Institute shows that immigrant Canadians may not contribute as much, on average, than their native-born compatriots. The unemployment rate for newly-landed Canadians has also increased over time. This indicates that we may still have a way to go when it comes to ensuring that immigrants to Canada are maximizing their skills and opportunities upon arrival.

Our current government supports continual immigration and there are certainly benefits to an aggressive immigration policy. Though we are a developed nation, we still have vast untapped natural resources such as lumber, oil, fresh water, and agriculture. Canadian cities, however, are far-between and located close to the U.S. border. The need for labour to access our natural resources is great and the opportunity to find gainful employment is alluring to newcomers to the country. Another reason behind the support for immigration centres around Canada’s low birth rate and aging population.

There seem to be varying points of view on the issue of immigration in Canada. On one hand, it is important to breathe new life into our country. Since we are very sparsely populated, we have an enormous amount of potential. Our urban centres, such as Toronto, are highly diverse. Immigrants can find neighbourhoods where they may be able to speak their native languages and enjoy familiar culture. They may not, however, be contributing as best they can to the Canadian economy. In densely populated cities such as Toronto, jobs and affordable housing can be hard to come by. In places like Alberta and Saskatchewan, on the other hand, space remains vast and the need for labour high. Though I am far from being an expert on immigration, I feel that it is crucial to our development as a nation. We are still very new, relatively speaking. We are still defining what it means to be “Canadian” and I feel that bringing in the best people the world has to offer will help. For me, this means looking for those who are skilled and educated, ready to work, and eager to make Canada their home. It also means a fusion of world cultures with our own Canadian identity so that we remain distinct on the world stage.

Having lived in Toronto now for seven years, I have come to learn firsthand that it is an incredibly diverse city. There are neighbourhoods where - upon entering - you are transported to a different nation. You hear different languages spoken, and even the street signs and shop windows feature foreign and sometimes exotic words. The most noticeable, however, are the smells emanating from the different food vendors. Food in Toronto runs the gamut from high-end restaurants with award winning chefs at the helm to humble stalls and food trucks. Uniting all are a sense of the diversity that makes Toronto unique.

A visit to Montréal would be incomplete without a visit to Schwartz’s Deli, and anyone hungry for some delicious smoked meat deli here in Toronto should visit Caplansky’s. They’ve got all-day breakfast, sandwiches piled high with smoked meat or corned beef, and knish!

On the other end of the food spectrum is the recently arrived Momofuku. There’s the noodle bar where you can grab a quick lunch of hot, spicy noodles, or daishō and shōtō for something more upscale. No matter what, don’t forget to go to the tiny glass cube above the Noodle Bar called Milkbar. Unlike the New York locations, you can’t get ice cream at the Toronto Milkbar, but you can get some of the best, chewiest cookies in the city, and a slice of the aptly named Crack Pie. Though Momofuku is a New York instituion, it’s arrival has been very special for Toronto. It’s also nearly hidden right in the downtown core on University Ave. It’s got international appeal, but it feels incredibly local.

For another Asian-inspired meal, try Toronto’s very own Bánh Mì Boys. They’ve taken the already delicious classic Vietnamese subs and made them their own. From crispy pork belly to duck confit, and fries piled high with kim chee, you can enjoy a local and independent spot right on the cusp of Chinatown.

Moving on from Chinatown brings to a little further Northwest to Little Italy and Little Portugal. There’s nothing elegant about eating a huge veal sandwich, cooked spicy, and topped with the works but you’ll be glad you did. The first time I tried California Sandwiches I was hooked. The place is easy to miss but placed by the often long line up going in the door, and hands clutching grease-spotted bags coming out. These sandwiches are big and messy, with thin crispy veal coated in bright red sauce and they are the best in the city. The best thing to do upon completion of one of these sandwiches is to walk a few blocks to College Street to get some ice cream. There are a few go-to spots in the city (roasted marshmallow at Greg’s isn’t to be missed!) but in Little Italy, The Big Chill is the place to go. They have tonnes of options from decadent ice creams to dairy-free fruit ices, and exotic flavours - any one you choose packed into a still-warm, freshly made waffle cone. You can even get your scoop topped with whipped cream and a miniature oreo!

Though Toronto does international foods in both inventive and traditional ways, one of the things that Toronto restaurants do best is burgers. In the city you can get gourmet burgers, gigantic burgers, and some of the best diner-style burgers this side of In’N’Out Burger. There’s nothing better than when humble food is done simply with the best, freshest ingredients possible. In Toronto, that means Burgers Priest. There’s a few locations of Priest now, but the one thing they all have in common is that they serve no-fuss burgers and fries and they do it the best. Beef is ground fresh on-site, grilled to order, and served up with a few simple toppings on a white bun. No bells and whistles here, simply the best humble burger you can find here in the city.

Finally, there are a few hole-in-the-wall places that I’ve come back to year after year. They aren’t fancy and they seem almost to be lost in time. Orders are yelled back to an anonymous cook in the tiny kitchen and part of you wonders about how clean that kitchen may be. Your doubts fall by the wayside, however, because the food is too alluring to ignore. In Kensington Market, there is Jumbo Empanada. The side of the building is adorned with an anthropomorphic empanada, smiling and waving, inviting you into the cramped space beyond the sliding door. You order at the counter and hope to get a seat. Your savoury little pocket of beef, chicken, or cheese will arrive in a little brown paper bag with a side of the best homemade salsa I’ve ever tasted. Though Torontoians seem to love their burritos, I’d take an empanada with extra salsa any day. Better still is that Jumbo Empanada is located in the heart of Kensington Market - a can’t miss spot to visit in the city. To work off your empanada (and maybe a churro for dessert) you can peruse vintage clothing stores, record shops, and paper goods from local designers at Kid Icarus.

Another easy-to-miss spot is found on one of the biggest intersections of the city - Queen St. West and Bathurst. There’s a humble sign hanging in front of the shop that says simply “roti” . That’s all you need to know when you enter the shop called Gandhi. The roti are huge, fresh, and spicy. There’s only about three tables in the restaurant, but if you can get one you won’t want to leave.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention my personal favourite. Café La Gaffe is hidden between the Art Gallery of Ontario and Chinatown and serves (in my opinion) the best Eggs Benedict in the city - indeed, the best I’ve ever had. How could your favourite meal not be brunch when you’ve got perfect hollandaise, crispy fried potatoes, and freshly squeezed orange juice on the table?

Finally, when in doubt get street meat. It’s probably the least glamourous option, but there always seems to be a hot dog track around when you need one. The food is hot and much more delicious than one would think. If you’ve had a few to drink, and you’re stumbling out onto the street after last call there’s nothing more alluring than one of those little yellow carts. You can pile your hot dog high with saurkraut or corn relish, fresh onions, or bacon bits. It’s greasy and messy but there’s no more satisfying meal than the one eaten on the sidewalk while mustard drips onto you shoe.

Toronto is a diverse place and that diversity leads to some of the best foods the world has to offer. Within the space of only a few blocks one can travel the world, experiencing the sights, sounds, and smells of exotic places amidst the honking cars and bell-ringing cyclists.

Thursday, March 24, 2011

On last Wednesday, York U had their fine arts open house, and this year it was called Moultling. The turnout was great and so was the art - I was impressed by all of the high quality work up - especially in the drawing department. Photo at York has always been strong, but it's nice to see drawing students doing interesting and ambitious work.The photos above are of my stuff.

In other news, I also talked to the Scott Library at York U about putting work up on their newly renovated second floor. The space is huge and the art needs to fit - that means in the next few weeks I've got to put together ten new pieces that are each several feet large, and incorporate text and colour. I've got my work cut out, but I know it'll look great when it's all done. The space has great impact.